PATIENT'S DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 117, 20 May 1939, Page 14

PATIENT'S DEATH

INQUEST AT AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph—l'ress Association. l

AUCKLAND, May 19

'"Considering the thousands of operations performed throughout the world every day, death of patients under anaesthetics occurs in remarkably few cases. For that reason it is difficult to understand why the public sometimes becomes alarmed about deaths under anaesthetics." These comments were made by Mr. F. K. Hunt, Coroner, at an inquest into the death of Raymond Sorensen, single, aged 21. Parnell. who died after an operation in a private hospital on April 22.

Dr. Vivian said he administered an anaesthetic to the deceased, who was suffering from serious nasal trouble. The patient showed no signs of trouble throughout the operation, which lasted about half an hour. His pulse was normal all the time, but his heart stopped completely about two minutes after the operation, and he also stopped breathing.

Witness said that he applied artificial respiration, aided by stimulants, for over half an hour without, success.

Dr. George Fenwick. eye, ear. and nose specialist, who performed the operation, said it was not a severe one. though necessary. It proved quite uneventful, without any undue difficulties.

In reply to the Coroner. Dr. Vivian said he had been administering anaesthetics for 15 years and the deceased was the first patient to die where he was anaesthetist.

The Coroner gave a verdict that death was due to heart failure after administration of an anaesthetic for a nasal operation.